Collectors Keep Calling Me. What Should I Do?

If your phone won't stop ringing, you're probably wondering: do I have to answer? Will this ever stop? What am I actually allowed to say?

Here's the good news: debt collectors can't call you however they want. Federal law puts real limits on this. This guide walks you through why they're calling, what they can and can't do, and exactly what to say so you're not caught off guard.

Why Are They Calling?

A collector calls because someone believes you owe money on an account. That account might have gone to collections from the original creditor, gotten sold to a debt buyer, or been handed to a law firm.

A call alone doesn't confirm that the amount is right, that the debt is even yours, that the caller actually owns it, or that a lawsuit is coming. Their first goal is just to get you on the phone and start a conversation about payment.

Should You Answer?

Ignoring every call doesn't usually make the problem go away. But answering and agreeing to anything on the spot isn't the move either.

A better approach: answer once, just to gather information. Ask what company they're with, who the original creditor is, how much they say you owe, whether they can send that in writing, and where to mail correspondence.

You don't owe them an answer about payment on that first call. It's completely fine to say: “I'd like to review this before we talk about payment.”

What They Can Do

Collectors are generally allowed to contact you about a debt, call during reasonable hours, send letters, ask for payment, and — if the debt stays unpaid — eventually consider legal action. A call by itself doesn't mean a lawsuit is coming.

What They Can't Do

Federal law says collectors generally can't harass, threaten, or curse at you; lie about who they are or pretend to be a lawyer or government official; threaten legal action they don't actually plan to take; or keep contacting you certain ways after you've sent a valid written request to stop.

If a collector crosses one of these lines, write down the date, time, phone number, and what was said.

How Often Can They Call?

Not as often as most people assume. Federal rules limit call frequency and ban repeated calls meant to harass you. What counts as too much depends on your situation — whether you've already talked, whether you've asked for a different contact method, and more. If it feels excessive, keep a log.

What About Voicemails?

Collectors can leave voicemails, often “limited-content” messages that just give a callback number without spelling out the debt. Save any voicemail you get and note the date. A message doesn't prove the debt is valid — if you're unsure, ask for it in writing before you discuss anything.

What to Say (Copy This)

That one line does three things: confirms who's calling, avoids you admitting the debt before you've reviewed it, and gets you off the hook for an on-the-spot decision.

Should You Verify the Debt?

If you don't recognize it, or something feels off, it's completely reasonable to ask for verification before you pay anything. Verification confirms the original creditor, the balance, who currently owns the debt, and whether the details actually line up with your records. See A Debt Collector Says I Owe Money for the full process.

Can You Make the Calls Stop?

Depending on your situation, you may be able to request a different communication method, work out a payment arrangement, resolve the account, or use your rights under state and federal law to limit contact. Stopping the calls doesn't erase the debt itself — the account still needs to be dealt with one way or another.

Frequently Asked Questions